Starlink on Monday said it had worked closely with Indian regulators for more than five years and secured the requisite government approvals, responding to the ongoing dispute between Elon Musk and Reliance Industries Limited over the US company’s entry into India’s satellite internet market.
In a post on X, Musk’s satellite broadband company said it had established dedicated systems, gateways and other infrastructure within India to serve domestic internet traffic securely. It also reiterated its readiness to provide high-speed internet connectivity in the country.
“We have worked closely with regulators, industry and operators in India for 5+ years, and built a network of dedicated systems, gateways, and other infrastructure all in-country to exclusively serve Indian traffic safely and securely, and all with the requisite government approvals. Starlink is ready to connect India with high-speed internet,” the company said.
The response came after Reliance issued a statement on Friday addressing Musk’s recent remarks about the Indian market and Starlink’s proposed entry. The company said it had never feared competition but stressed that all businesses, whether domestic or foreign, must comply with Indian laws and policies.
Reliance says Jio's satellite services await clearance
Reliance said India welcomed investment and innovation from both Indian and international companies, including those seeking to enter the satellite communications sector. However, it maintained that the government followed the same regulatory process for every applicant, regardless of nationality.
The company pointed out that Jio’s own satellite services were also awaiting regulatory clearances, arguing that the same rules applied to all players.
“We welcome competition in satellite communications, including Starlink,” Reliance said, adding that every operator, including Jio, must serve the people of India and abide by the country’s laws and policies.
The company also cited Jio’s growth since entering India’s competitive telecommunications market in 2016. According to Reliance, Jio began with no customers and has since gained the trust of more than 530 million subscribers, while providing affordable data and digital infrastructure.
Reliance described competition as the best test of which company serves customers most effectively, rejecting any suggestion that it was apprehensive about the entry of a new player.
How Musk's remarks triggered the row
The dispute intensified on October 7 after SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk accused “certain oligarchs” of obstructing Starlink’s efforts to secure spectrum access in India.
The remarks triggered a public exchange between Musk and the Indian government over the regulatory framework governing satellite broadband services.
On October 8, the communications ministry rejected allegations of discrimination, describing them as “baseless and misconceived”. It maintained that India’s satellite communications framework was fair and non-discriminatory, adding that security assessments of three entities were under way and that all were at broadly the same regulatory stage.
Hours later, Musk renewed his criticism, saying Starlink was licensed to operate in more than 165 countries and had spent five years complying with Indian regulations.
“So why still no licence? Is Ambani the real boss of India?” Musk asked, referring to Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.
The latest exchange places the spotlight on the regulatory process for satellite internet services in India, where Starlink is seeking to establish a presence alongside domestic telecom operators and other satellite communications providers. While Starlink has asserted that it has obtained the requisite government approvals, Reliance has emphasised that the same rules must apply to every applicant.